2021 08 02 CCC Featured External Listing 1978 Chevrolet Corvette 4-speed manual with T-roofs
This C3 Corvette is a 1978 model. Many readers will know that the Corvette first appeared as a 1953 model, making the ’78 a 25th anniversary model. To commemorate the occasion, Chevy made a special Silver Anniversary edition of the Corvette, which was grey-on-silver. In addition, the Corvette had the distinction of being chosen as the pace car for the 1978 Indianapolis 500 and Chevrolet made Indy 500 Pace Car editions available, a “Limited Edition Indy Pace Car Replica”.
CCC Vital Info – 1978 Chevrolet Corvette 4-speed manual with T-roofs
Odometer – 22,000 km
Engine Info – 5.7L L82 V8, front-mounted
Transmission Info – 4-speed manual
Exterior Colour – Black-on-silver two-tone
Interior Colour – Grey
Other features – Limited Edition Indy 500 Pace Car Replica, 25th Anniversary Edition, Tires with Raised White Lettering
Seller – Private
Model page
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This is one such car. The most notable feature of the Indy 500 car is the two-tone black-on-silver paint scheme with decals. There were 6.502 Pace Car Corvettes produced, approximately 15% of production for ’78. At the time there were approximately 6,200 Chevy showrooms, which accounts more or less for the production figures – each of the showrooms was allocated a minimum of one Pace Car ‘vette.
Decals were a dealer-installed item and not all Pace Cars were delivered with them on the car. This car is said to never have had the decals applied and they are included with the car. All ’78 Corvettes also had emblems on their fuel doors and noses to recognize the silver anniversary.
The 1978 model year was significant for Corvette beyond the 25th anniversary. It also marked updates for the C3. The rear of the car was redesigned with fastback-type rear glass, bringing a consistent design to the rounded rear deck which first appeared in 1974. New interior and dash also appeared with the 1978 car.
The car at hand is a low-miler, under 22,000 km. The seller notes long periods of storage so the new owner will want to take care of the normal checks and precautions. The seller also notes much detail regarding suspension make-up.
This 1978 ‘vette was built with the L82 350 cubic inch engine. When new, it produced 220 horsepower at 5200 rpm – a considerable boost from the standard L48’s 185 horsepower (the California emissions-compliant powerplant was lower still, at 175 hp). Supporting the power of the L82 is a torque rating of 260 lb.-ft., at 3600 rpm. Engine is up front, as with all Corvettes until the introduction of the C8 in 2020. Transmission is a four-speed manual, and every Corvette is rear-wheel drive.
The real story of this car is the low mileage, though. While some of the Pace Cars were mothballed by original owners as an investment, cars with mileage lower than this are not often available.
Find this 1978 Chevrolet Corvette 4-speed Pace Car edition on Craigslist in Victoria, BC offered for $45,000.
Thanks to CCC follower Drew for tipping us off.
